Board To Discuss Surratt's Contract

April 28, 1985|By David Karpook of The Sentinel Staff

DELAND — In anticipation of a possible request from School Superintendent James Surratt to be released from his four-year contract, the school board has scheduled a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the contract.

Surratt, Volusia superintendent since March 1984, is under consideration for the superintendent's job in Guilford County, N.C. He has said he probably will make a decision on the post by Monday or Tuesday.

He was attending a conference in Brevard County Friday and could not be reached for comment.

Ohse Davis, board vice-chairwoman, said the meeting is being called so that the board can discuss its options if Surratt says he wants to leave. ''Maybe it's also to tell him how we feel about it. After all, the guy's got a four- year contract. It seems that if it's binding on the board, it ought to be binding both ways.''

But she said Surratt has been open with board members about the offer, and it would be difficult to prevent him from taking the job. ''If he really wants to go, you can't keep people against their will. That's non-productive.''

Board members are worried that Surratt's departure could cause instability in the school system. Board Chairwoman Beebe White said Thursday it could take as long as six months to find a replacement, and another year for a new superintendent to become really effective.

Surratt's contract runs until March 1988. He said last week that a major factor in his decision is whether the board would release him amicably from the agreement.

School attorney Richard Graham said Friday that while the document is legally binding, the board might have a hard time enforcing it if Surratt decides to leave.

''They abolished slavery with the 14th Amendment,'' he said. ''If they refuse to release him, I think he will honor the contract, I think he'll fulfill the commitment he made.''